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Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

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Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#1

Post by SportTechie »

Hi everyone,

I am currently a software engineer in the Netherlands with more than 7 years total experience. In my current role next to being hands on involved with coding and development work I am also the team lead for 5 developers. I have been recently offered a job in Switzerland as a software systems engineer. The company has 4 levels (high-low), Principal, Senior, Engineer II, Engineer I. Even though the interview process went perfect, they have placed me at the top of Engineer II. I am now in doubt what to do. It feels a step backward, considering I am already a team lead and have quite some experience as well as ownership.

A scenario I am thinking is accept it, start and then apply myself and grow to senior and eventually principle, but I could be looking at 1-3 years to reach the senior level and some more time to reach the Principal. I like to seek some advice and opinion. Have you been in a similar situation? What were your thoughts and what did you do?

Thanks!

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#3

Post by dougmwne »

It seems the biggest question is, “do you really want to move to Switzerland?” That’s a big change.

The next biggest question is, how will this affect you financially, not just the pay, but the final savings after all the taxes and expenses.

And I think third is the career trajectory, if you really want to be in management or are happy as an individual contributor.

There are lots of jobs out there. You can find a better fit if this isn’t the right one.

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#4

Post by pr07ecH70r »

Hey there, I am a swiss, and an engineer here for more than 10 years now (BEFORE ETH student). To be honest, I had that naive thought too before, but it never worked. I changed already several jobs, and the highest I got is a team lead. Thing is, in the recent years in Switzerland, somehow it is very hard to progess on the ledder upwards. I wouldn't say I am not ambitious, just never got that further promotion. Probably I could wait more, and invest more time, until it happens. Who knows. But this is just my observation.

Many of my friends are making additional studies into management, or sales. Some landed Head positions.

Point is, I wouldn't say that it is a step back. It is rather a completely new step, a change. Could be for good of for not that good. Depends on how much time are you willing to invest? Maybe in your current position you will advance further if you wait. Also consider the language barrier. Sometimes it makes a bit of difference. ;)

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#5

Post by danwee »

Roles are meaningless, every company have their own. If you think you are senior, you'll put the "Senior..." in your linkedin profile (and CV) to get future offers.

So I don't think you're taking a step back at all (unless you are getting a salary cut as well, then yes, don't do it).

I did exactly the same: I was tech lead at company X (staff engineer) but then I quit to join company Y working just as a normal senior engineer. I got a 20% bump in salary raise... and now I have ahead more levels with the senior level to grown to (and also levels within the staff level as well)... whereas at company X I as already thinking about switching to management (I didn't want that either).

Also, I do always the same kind of job no matter where I am: if I can lead, I lead, if I can mentor I mentor... it doesn't really matter if that's my role or not.

If you're really a leader, then they will notice and will promote you within their imaginary and meaningless career path ladder.

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#7

Post by jonahbenton »

I am in the US and don't know EU dynamics in terms of comp and lifestyle but one thing that is true globally is that experience and levels are not achievements or badges such as one accumulates in a game. The overall culture and the relationships with the individual people should be the emphasis in terms of understanding opportunities for growth. Ask yourself whether the people are people you want to learn from and grow with, across all the different dimensions that personal growth entails.

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#8

Post by SportTechie »

dougmwne wrote: post #3

It seems the biggest question is, “do you really want to move to Switzerland?” That’s a big change. The next biggest question is, how will this affect you financially, not just the pay, but the final savings after all the taxes and expenses. And I think third is the career trajectory, if you really want to be in management or are happy as an individual contributor. There are lots of jobs out there. You can find a bet…

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Would you say I should bring up my concern to them? I don't need promises or guarantees, but I would have liked to know what is their career trajectory and promotion system.

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#9

Post by AnimalMuppet »

What are you after? A change of scenery? Money? Prestige? Title?

Why do you want to leave your current job? Money? Don't like the work? Don't like the people? Bored, and you want something different? Can't advance any further where you are?

If you're after money, look at the money (counting taxes and cost of living).

If you're after advancement/title/prestige/future income growth, the problem is that the future is uncertain. If you have decided that you're not going to get what you want where you are, I would not take a step backward to maybe get it in the future. I would continue where I was, and keep looking, and move when I could go somewhere where I actually did get what I was looking for.

Re: Career Advice: Would you take a step back to advance forward?

#10

Post by dougmwne »

SportTechie wrote: post #8
dougmwne wrote: post #3

It seems the biggest question is, “do you really want to move to Switzerland?” That’s a big change. The next biggest question is, how will this affect you financially, not just the pay, but the final savings after all the taxes and expenses. And I think third is the career trajectory, if you really want to be in management or are happy as an individual contributor. There are lots of jobs out there. You can find a bet…

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! Would you say I should bring up my concern to them? I don't need promises or guarantees, but I would have liked to know what is their career trajectory and promotion system.

Absolutely. If you are tempted to turn this job down because it’s not the right fit, instead of turning it down, you should bring your exact concerns to them, both that you feel you are already leading a team successfully and that you want a clear pathway to leadership responsibility again. An excellent employer is going to listen and adjust to your concerns.
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